Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly question Chelsea star Edouard Mendy’s absence from FIFA Ballon d’Or shortlist
According to the Evening Standard, Senegalese superstars Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly have questioned the absence of Chelsea star Edouard Mendy from the Ballon d’Or shortlist.
Five Blues stars were named in the final 30 nominees but Mendy was not one of them. The 29-year-old should have been included given the role he played in our Champions League triumph last season.
It is a fact recognized by his international teammates who have now spoken up on his behalf. It becomes clear when one notices that Gianluigi Donnarumma is the only goalkeeper on the list.
Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane revealed his surprise and terms his teammate’s exclusion as unacceptable. Having played with Alisson Becker, he is well aware of what a top goalkeeper is like. There is little surprise that he holds Mendy in high regard.
“It is unacceptable. I do not understand.”
Mendy is the first African goalkeeper to win Europe’s biggest club competition. Despite that, Koulibaly believes defensive players need to perform twice as hard as their attacking counterparts to be noticed.
“It’s a real shame that Edou isn’t one of them. He is the first African goalkeeper to win the Champions League.”
Koulibaly goes on to add that Mendy is not downcast with the result and will continue to fight for it. Despite not being shortlisted this time around, he remains a winner in his teammate’s books.
“He will continue to fight to be part of it. For me, he has a place among these 30 players.”
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The 29-year-old may have missed out on the Ballon d’Or, however, Mendy is in contention for the Yashin award. Whether he will reap the fruits of his labour remains to be seen.